6 Pro Tips to Help Your Waxing Results Last Longer

It can be a constant battle to keep your excess body hair at bay, and waxing is a good option. For a relatively low cost, you can head to your favorite spa and rip those pesky hairs right out. Waxing is an effective hair-removal option, but sometimes your results may not seem to last as long as you might like, with little sprouts eventually popping up here and there. Luckily, we have some pro tips to help you get the most out of your waxing, saving you money between spa treatments.

1. Be patient and let that hair grow.

As soon as you see that first hair emerge after a waxing treatment, your instinct may be to run out and see your favourite esthetician. However, you should be patient. For the best results, your hair should be at least around 0.3 to 0.6 cm long (about 1/8 to 1/4 inch) when you have it waxed. This is because the wax needs something to hold onto so it can pull out the entire hair. If the hair is not long enough, the wax cannot get enough of a grip, and the hair may break. A broken hair can become ingrown, and the wax will not be able to reach it at all, leaving a black mark visible just under the skin’s surface.

Your best bet is to make a schedule and stick to it. Make your spa appointment ahead of time so you are committed to your waxing schedule. The optimal time between waxing is usually about three weeks, although this can vary from person to person. The more you wax, the better you will be able to estimate your hair growth for that optimal length. By making a schedule, you will be less likely to cave in and wax too early.

2. Exfoliate and moisturize between treatments.

Dry, rough skin can cause more hair to break during waxing. Before your treatment, and between treatments, be sure to take care of your skin. Exfoliate regularly using a gentle, non-polluting exfoliant or a loofah to keep your skin smooth, and use a hydrating lotion to prevent dry skin. This gives a smooth surface for the wax to reach the full hair length, reducing the chance of breakage. Moisturizing skin after a treatment can also help cool and soothe irritated skin.

3. Prevent ingrown hair and pimples.

Ingrown hairs, pimples, and other bumps can interfere with a waxing treatment too. A smoother surface means the wax can get a better grip on hair, but the hair must also be outside of the skin’s surface for waxing to work. Help prevent interference from ingrown hairs, pimples, and bumps by using a cleanser containing salicylic acid. This common acne-fighting ingredient can help keep pores clear and skin smooth for a more effective waxing experience.

4. Don’t shave, tweeze and trim.

Whatever you do, put that razor down. When you see those hairs begin to pop up after a wax, it may be tempting to shave them back down, but this can affect future treatments. When you shave, the hair can grow back in random directions or become ingrown, making it difficult or impossible for the wax to latch on. Shaving also only cuts the hair above the skin, encouraging the hair below the skin to sprout out sooner. Instead of shaving, use a small pair of scissors to carefully (carefully!) trim any excess hairs, or whip out the ol’ tweezer to snatch that stray hair or two.

5. Cover it up.

When those first few hairs appear after a waxing treatment, you can always resort to camouflage. Apply some makeup to your upper lip or a sunless tanning lotion to other areas of your body and you can help make those excess hairs less noticeable until your next treatment. Darker skin can mean less contrast between the skin and hair, helping hide that unwanted stubble. Hair-reducing lotions may also help make hair appear a little lighter until your next appointment.

6. Leave it to the professionals.

One of the best ways to get the most out of a waxing is to let the professionals do it. Although you can buy waxing strips and sugaring kits to use at home, professional estheticians combine professional-grade products with their years of experience to make sure you get the best waxing possible. Your esthetician can send you home hair-free with tips and tricks to keep your skin looking its best. The professional estheticians at Uptown Spa can make sure you get the most out of your spa experience.

If you are impatiently waiting for your next waxing appointment, the good news is things do get better. Every time you wax, the hairs tend to grow back finer and slower. After a few waxing sessions, you should notice less hair growth, making the time between waxing easier to handle. It will all be worth it in the end as you enjoy smoother, stubble-free skin longer. So long, razor!

Uptown Spa offers body hair waxing services for both men and women. Whether you want to smooth out your upper lip, avoid shaving your legs, or go full Brazilian, our estheticians can help. Waxing starts at just $18 and our special packages can help you smooth larger areas for less. To rid yourself of that pesky body hair A.S.A.P., call Uptown Spa for more information or book your treatment online today.